NBA players react to Charlottesville riot
Virginia's governor declared a state of emergency Saturday after violent clashes broke out in Charlottesville between far-right nationalists and counter-protesters.
Several NBA players took to social media to weigh in on the racially charged protests that resulted in many arrests and injuries, and at least one death.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter, who's from Turkey but considers America his home, tweeted in reference to the tiki torches that many protesters wielded while shouting white supremacist chants.
America only needs one torch
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 12, 2017
It's bigger and brighter than yours#Charlottesville 🗽 pic.twitter.com/yDusNqFphW
Your silence normalizes nazis.
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 12, 2017
Doesn't it also makes you one ??#Charlottesville
pic.twitter.com/JD6IxyrH14
It's not the first time Kanter's addressed political issues. He's gotten into trouble before over his public criticism of the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he called "the Hitler of our century."
James Michael McAdoo responded to the riot with Virginia's (currently ironic) tourism and travel slogan:
but I thought Virginia is for lovers
— James Michael McAdoo (@jamesmcadoo) August 12, 2017
The free agent's woke former Golden State Warriors teammate Andre Iguodala suggested McAdoo shouldn't be surprised by what's going on in Charlottesville.
C'mon son! I taught you better... https://t.co/EJZeXMFKnr
— Andre Iguodala (@andre) August 12, 2017
Here are other tweets from hoopers condemning the racism and violence:
Wake up people #charlotesville #racism https://t.co/lH3YVGxURY
— Garrett Temple (@GTemp14) August 12, 2017
This shiiii craxy https://t.co/Km0mpFGZJP
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) August 12, 2017
#Charlottesville makes me sick...what world are we living in rn?!?
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) August 12, 2017
It's supposedly called a protest and not a riot 🙄 #onlyinAmerica https://t.co/KaqNfWHz74
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 12, 2017
It's sad that shit like this is still happening and there's no urgency to change anything.
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 12, 2017
Sad but not surprised by what's happening in VA. Painful reminder that we need to stay woke & continue organizing against racism & hatred✊🏾
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) August 12, 2017
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